Xbox Game Pass is “too expensive” says new Xbox chief

New Xbox chief Asha Sharma has admitted that Xbox Game Pass has become “too expensive”.

In October, Microsoft announced a huge price hike for its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which gives players access to a rotating library of games as well as a number of online features. “We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we’re evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players,” Microsoft said at the time. However the move was criticised by players with many quitting the service. 

Earlier this year, Asha Sharma took over from Phil Spencer as Chief Executive Officer Of Microsoft Games. At her first Game Developers Conference in March, it was reported she spoke to many developers about making Xbox Game Pass and future consoles “more affordable”.

In a new internal memo sent to Microsoft staff, Sharma has admitted that the service has become too pricey. “Game Pass is central to gaming value on Xbox. It’s also clear that the current model isn’t the final one,” she said (via The Verge). “Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation. Long term, we will evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around.”

Over the weekend, Windows Central journalist Jez Corden reported that Microsoft is considering removing brand new Call Of Duty releases from its Xbox Game Pass offering in a bid to cut costs. Both 2024’s Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 and last year’s Black Ops 7 were available at launch to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers after Microsoft acquired developers Activision Blizzard for $68billion.

As part of the discussion about making Game Pass more affordable, Netflix CEO Greg Peters has also said he’s met with Sharma and they have “kicked around ideas” for subscription bundle partnerships.

Last year, former Xbox boss Sarah Bond said the next-gen Xbox console “is going to be a very premium, very high-end curated experience” which fuelled speculation that ‘Project Helix’ could cost at least $1000. 

In other news, Pokémon has announced more details about its 30th anniversary celebrations, including a pair of EDM gigs headlined by Marshmello.

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